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The Fall of Atlantis #1
The Alabaster Throne
"To him who had an eye to see, they began to appear base, and had lost the fairest of their precious gifts; but to those who had no eye to see the true happiness, they still appeared glorious and blessed at the very time when they were filled with unrighteous avarice and power." - PlatoThe golden age of Atlantis had long been over, though no one could see it yet.Taldirun, Prince of Atlantis, was raised to seek honor and glory, like the untold generations before him, but his world was a shell of splendor which held within the rotted and corrupted nature of man at his worst.When the facade is broken, and the depths of depravity are revealed, Taldirun must persevere through the darkest of times and the bitterest betrayals. The only help he has to overcome his ordeal is the truth. And he must cling to the truth if he is to survive.
- GenresFantasy
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2016
31 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Wilson Harp
30 books66 followersWilson Harp is a writer based out of the American Midwest. As a military brat, he traveled and met people from many cultures and backgrounds. Exposure to so many different views has led him to an appreciation of an eclectic collection of music, film and literature.
His sense of wonder at stories and folklore started young and continues to this day, often affecting the themes and ideas in his writing. In his works you will find the old fashioned ideas of virtue and honor as the lifeline that pulls many of his characters through the situations they often find themselves.
When he isn't writing, you can often find him trying to perfect the cooking of meat over an open flame.
You can visit his webpage at www.wilsonharpbooks.com
His sense of wonder at stories and folklore started young and continues to this day, often affecting the themes and ideas in his writing. In his works you will find the old fashioned ideas of virtue and honor as the lifeline that pulls many of his characters through the situations they often find themselves.
When he isn't writing, you can often find him trying to perfect the cooking of meat over an open flame.
You can visit his webpage at www.wilsonharpbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 29, 2016
Wilson Harp’s latest novel, “The Alabaster Throne” offers page-turning excitement from page one to page last. The action is clearly defined and moves apace from scene to scene. The palace intrigue within the Kingdom of Mestor focuses the reader in a search for the seven deadly sins only to realize that the only ones missing are gluttony and sloth. The story follows Taldirun as he grows from a youngster into a battle-tested, hardened warrior prince who must fight for his rightful place within his father’s kingdom. Truth, honor, loyalty and dignity are all put to the test in his life as he comes face-to-face with betrayal, death and the selfish actions of others. Harp’s writing comes of age through this believable world of Atlantis and one can only wait with bated breath until book two emerges to continue the story of the fall of Atlantis.
July 13, 2018
Wilson Harp's first installment of The Fall of Atlantis series was a quick, fun read; although lacking depth and description for the characters and setting. This lack of description did not detract from the story or plot, but it reads as if you are hearing a story from a friend who continually references people you don't know. Harp adds characters rather haphazardly. These characters come and go, but perhaps will play more of a part in the following novels.
Prince Taldirun overhears a plot by his mother, the Queen of Mestor (a kingdom of Atlantis) and the lead general, to murder his older brother. Prince Tal is in denial about what he has heard and his brother is killed on the battle field by "friendly" fire. Ten years later, Tal is in the same position and narrowly escapes his own assassination attempt on the field of battle. Tal travels with a band of close friends to see a prophet who can confirm the treachery of the Queen and General. The prophet confirms Tal's suspicions but then goes into a fit, foreshadowing troubles to come in the other installments.
Prince Tal returns home, but before he can tell his father of his wife's deception, the royal family is murdered. Tal escapes while his mother places her chosen son, Bator'cam in line for the throne and accuses Prince Tal of the murders. Tal and Bator'cam face off on the field of battle to decide who will sit on the Alabaster Throne.
Tal's mother, Queen Jala does not reveal her endgame in this novel, but it is implied she is trying to gain power and control. This seems rather strange considering she marries to a higher station, after having her family murdered, but it doesn't seem that she gains any power. She places her favorite son on the throne but there still isn't a set plan for her gains. Perhaps Harp will establish some real goals in further installments.
I enjoyed the relationships between Tal and his close friends which seems to be the focus of this first part of the Atlantis story. Tal will be a great ruler during Atlantis' most difficult time. I look forward to the other Atlantis novels.
Prince Taldirun overhears a plot by his mother, the Queen of Mestor (a kingdom of Atlantis) and the lead general, to murder his older brother. Prince Tal is in denial about what he has heard and his brother is killed on the battle field by "friendly" fire. Ten years later, Tal is in the same position and narrowly escapes his own assassination attempt on the field of battle. Tal travels with a band of close friends to see a prophet who can confirm the treachery of the Queen and General. The prophet confirms Tal's suspicions but then goes into a fit, foreshadowing troubles to come in the other installments.
Prince Tal returns home, but before he can tell his father of his wife's deception, the royal family is murdered. Tal escapes while his mother places her chosen son, Bator'cam in line for the throne and accuses Prince Tal of the murders. Tal and Bator'cam face off on the field of battle to decide who will sit on the Alabaster Throne.
Tal's mother, Queen Jala does not reveal her endgame in this novel, but it is implied she is trying to gain power and control. This seems rather strange considering she marries to a higher station, after having her family murdered, but it doesn't seem that she gains any power. She places her favorite son on the throne but there still isn't a set plan for her gains. Perhaps Harp will establish some real goals in further installments.
I enjoyed the relationships between Tal and his close friends which seems to be the focus of this first part of the Atlantis story. Tal will be a great ruler during Atlantis' most difficult time. I look forward to the other Atlantis novels.
October 13, 2023
Pretty good
I suppose Atlantis doesn't actually "fall" until the last book of the series. So there's that.
Otherwise anyway... It's a pretty good book. Well written. The world isn't terribly inaccurate - though I'm not familiar enough with ancient history to be sure about any of it.
The book is historical fantasy, so I expect a little mystic action, and there is some. Though it's really fairly fantasy light. The gods are real, but they don't act very often. In that respect it's slightly reminiscent of the style of author Morgan Llywellyn. She writes Celtic historical fiction and treats gods and mystical things such that you know the characters believe it but whether the reader does is the reader's choice alone. This book isn't quite that masterful but closer to that than anything else I've read. So kudos there.
The plot is a simple revenge plot. Sort of a coming of age bit mixed in there too, but mostly it's a young prince questing to gain his place on his father's throne and dealing with unexpected betrayals at every turn. Pretty much the same as dozens of karate films that I loved to watch growing up, but without the karate. Not spectacular, but still very well narrated. I definitely enjoyed reading it.
I suppose Atlantis doesn't actually "fall" until the last book of the series. So there's that.
Otherwise anyway... It's a pretty good book. Well written. The world isn't terribly inaccurate - though I'm not familiar enough with ancient history to be sure about any of it.
The book is historical fantasy, so I expect a little mystic action, and there is some. Though it's really fairly fantasy light. The gods are real, but they don't act very often. In that respect it's slightly reminiscent of the style of author Morgan Llywellyn. She writes Celtic historical fiction and treats gods and mystical things such that you know the characters believe it but whether the reader does is the reader's choice alone. This book isn't quite that masterful but closer to that than anything else I've read. So kudos there.
The plot is a simple revenge plot. Sort of a coming of age bit mixed in there too, but mostly it's a young prince questing to gain his place on his father's throne and dealing with unexpected betrayals at every turn. Pretty much the same as dozens of karate films that I loved to watch growing up, but without the karate. Not spectacular, but still very well narrated. I definitely enjoyed reading it.
February 5, 2018
I may have stayed up way too late reading this last night. And then was up this morning finishing it before I did anything else.
A very intriguing story with great characters that had lots of depth. There were parts that didn't... well let's just say I didn't care for some of the pieces such as the sacrifices, serene's, crazy gods worshipping that involved people waiting for omens rather than using justice and logic to solve things. BUT, it was fitting for the story. So while I didn't LIKE some of those aspects, they really brought the story to life. They enhanced the setting and definitely felt like they fit for the time period that it was meant to represent.
The detail in this story was amazing and I can't explain how alive and vivid it felt.
I wished at times that Tal was a little faster to figure things out. I mean, chapter one I knew his mother was an evil, conniving witch who used the general to push forward her goal of taking over. I mean, it was so clear what her plan was that I felt like for someone as smart as Tal to NOT get it sooner was frustrating.
Overall, a really well done piece that springs off the page. Can't wait to get to book 2!
A very intriguing story with great characters that had lots of depth. There were parts that didn't... well let's just say I didn't care for some of the pieces such as the sacrifices, serene's, crazy gods worshipping that involved people waiting for omens rather than using justice and logic to solve things. BUT, it was fitting for the story. So while I didn't LIKE some of those aspects, they really brought the story to life. They enhanced the setting and definitely felt like they fit for the time period that it was meant to represent.
The detail in this story was amazing and I can't explain how alive and vivid it felt.
I wished at times that Tal was a little faster to figure things out. I mean, chapter one I knew his mother was an evil, conniving witch who used the general to push forward her goal of taking over. I mean, it was so clear what her plan was that I felt like for someone as smart as Tal to NOT get it sooner was frustrating.
Overall, a really well done piece that springs off the page. Can't wait to get to book 2!
October 25, 2023
This book has been on my TBR pile for a long time and I'm not sure why I purchased it.
Was it recommended to me? I don't know.
I'm not really into all the Atlantis stuff and ancient gods' beliefs, but I enjoy fantasy. Maybe that's why I got it.
I started this book and almost stopped reading it, but I decided to continue on.
For me it was difficult to get into at first but as the story moved along it became easier to follow.
The ending was good. I could see the overall evil vs good in this book.
Was it recommended to me? I don't know.
I'm not really into all the Atlantis stuff and ancient gods' beliefs, but I enjoy fantasy. Maybe that's why I got it.
I started this book and almost stopped reading it, but I decided to continue on.
For me it was difficult to get into at first but as the story moved along it became easier to follow.
The ending was good. I could see the overall evil vs good in this book.
July 24, 2018
Excellent!
Intrigue, betrayal from surprising factions, action and romance--this book has it all. The tale of the beginning of the fall of Atlantis is hard to put down once you get started.
Intrigue, betrayal from surprising factions, action and romance--this book has it all. The tale of the beginning of the fall of Atlantis is hard to put down once you get started.
May 7, 2016
A real page turner. It takes you from one adventurer to the next, meeting new people along the way. Some we come to like and some you come to loathe. It brings the world of Atlantis alive.
Its set around Tal's family, first his brother is killed in battle then he almost is. So he takes off to find out the truth, an answer he just needs to hear said out loud. But these dreams also tell him what he already knows. He puts everything on the line for his family, after he loses almost all of them through a betrayal that cuts him deep, he must do something he never thought he could.
A book you will not be able to put down once you start reading it. I can't wait to see what happens next. Especially with our "cursed" brown eyed beauty.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Its set around Tal's family, first his brother is killed in battle then he almost is. So he takes off to find out the truth, an answer he just needs to hear said out loud. But these dreams also tell him what he already knows. He puts everything on the line for his family, after he loses almost all of them through a betrayal that cuts him deep, he must do something he never thought he could.
A book you will not be able to put down once you start reading it. I can't wait to see what happens next. Especially with our "cursed" brown eyed beauty.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews